:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58110979/usa_today_10183814.0.jpg)
The San Francisco 49ers quietly made a roster move on Christmas Day. The NFL transaction report lists the 49ers as waiving cornerback Prince Charles Iworah.
Iworah was given a waived/injured designation on September 1, during roster cuts. He was not claimed off waivers, and so he reverted to the 49ers injured reserve list. The 49ers decision on Monday releases him from that list. There was never any word on the specifics of Iworah’s injury, but he stuck around the IR list for a lengthy period.
The 49ers spent a seventh round pick on Iworah back in 2016. The team effectively took a flyer on a guy with big-time athleticism, but a lot of work to do to turn it into football skills. I thought he might emerge as a special teams player, but nothing came of it, as he managed 16 special teams snaps his rookie season.
Most seventh round picks are flyers with low expectations. Crazy things can happen with them, but you don’t make the pick thinking they’ll turn into anything more than developmental or special teams talent. This one didn’t work out, and so the 49ers move on.